Asian Television Awards 2008

The Philippines has a total of seven nominations on the Asian Television Awards 2008. Six belongs to GMA, one from QTV 11 (GMA's sister station), and another one from ABS-CBN.

Nominations received by GMA:
1. Camera Cafe for Best Comedy Program
2. Bubble Gang for Best Comedy Program
3. Lovely Day for Best Children’s Program
4. All Star K! The One Million Videoke Challenge - Best Game or Quiz Program
5. Ogie Alcasid for Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress
6. Michael V. for Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress

QTV 11:
1. Reunion for Best Reality Program

ABS-CBN:
1. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus for Best Adaptation of an Existing Format

ABS-CBN's Che-che Lazaro and Laurenti Dyogi, and GMA's Jessica Soho and Nessa Valdellon will be part of the panel of judges. Awards Night will be on December 11th at the Intercontinental Hotel in Singapore.

For more info, visit their official website.

Reese Witherspoon Covers Parade

Reese Witherspoon talks about life - her divorce with actor Ryan Phillippe, her kids, tabloid fame, and love.

Read all about it in this issue of Parade magazine.

GQ Men of the Year 2008

GQ has published its 2008 Men of the Year list in four covers featuring President-elect Barack Obama, Mad Men star Jon Hamm, leading man Leonardo DiCaprio and Olympic athlete Michael Phelps.

Complete list of GQ Men of the Year 2008:

Champions: The Boston Celtics
Designer of the Year: Thom Browne
Leading Man: Leonardo DiCaprio
Villain: Aaro Eckhart
The Artist: Shepard Fairey
Killer Year: Brandon Flowers
Screen Idol: James Franco
Comeback Kid: Josh Hamilton
Breakout: Jon Hamm
Legend: Ted Kennedy
The Mogul: Seth MacFarlane
Mad Genius: John Malkovich
Funnyman: Danny McBride
Radio Gods: MGMT + M.I.A.
Court King: Rafael Nadal
Game Changer: Barack Obama
Heavy Medal Hero: Chris Paul
Drama Queen: Sean Penn
Leader of the Year: General David Petraeus
Golden Boy: Michael Phelps
Prick: Gordon Ramsay
Daredevil of the Year: Alain Robert
Icon of the Year: Philip Roth
Action Hero: Jason Statham
Local Hero of the Year: Neil Willenson
Tough Guys of the Year: The Men Behind ‘The Wire’
Boy Genius of the Year: Mark Zuckerberg
Obsession: Megan Fox

Ploning Gets Government Support for the Oscars

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) are giving Ploning, the Philippines’ entry to the Oscars, the much-needed support in its bid to make it as a nominee in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

The President and FDCP are shelling out P2.5-M to boost the critically-acclaimed film’s chances of making it to the highly-competitive, highly-politicized world of the Oscars.

The amount will go a long way in seeing to it that Ploning gets the attention it needs and deserves in the international film community.

The filmmakers are hiring a highly-recommended public relations company, Murray Weissman and Associates to make the film highly-visible. Its producer, Panoramanila Pictures Co., is also organizing red-carpet premieres and tapping Filipino communities in the US.

Ploning director Dante Nico Garcia, who came back from Los Angeles, reports that the Philippine consulate in Los Angeles, headed by Mary Jo Aragon, has been very supportive. Aragon herself has been sending electronic invites for the exclusive screening of Ploning for prominent Filipinos in California.

Filipino businessman Mike Cucueco is financing a premiere showing in California next month. Another prominent Filipino Ted Benito, on the other hand, is organizing another premiere also showing next month.

Meanwhile, Ploning has been getting good reviews among film experts in the US. Garcia reports that the Kodak theater, where the film was screened, was filled to capacity when Ploning was shown. He was told that it’s the first time in the theater’s history that this has happened.

“One comment that struck me came from a member of the audience who said that Ploning marks the first time a film from a third world country doesn’t tackle poverty or difficulties in life. That’s our edge. Ploning has a feel-good topic. It tells a story of love minus the anger,” reports Garcia.

He adds that the Filipino businessmen in the US are going all out in supporting the film, knowing that its victory will be a big triumph for the country. It will also boost their business as well.

In the Philippines, Ploning star Judy Ann Santos is also working double time. She is organizing two events: A celebrity auction at Plaza Ibarra, Quezon City on Nov. 28 and a red-carpet ball at Rockwell Tent on Dec. 3 to raise funds for Ploning.

The auction will see stars like Judy Ann, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino and others donating clothes, accessories and others to be auctioned off.

The ball, on the other hand, taps renowned artists like Ramon Orlina, who will auction off their works. Price per plate is P10,000. There will also be a raffle draw.

Judy Ann will bring in her expertise as restaurateur to draw up the evening’s menu.

“I wake up early to talk to Makati businessmen and ask for their support, too,” she adds.

Meanwhile, Judy Ann has just launched her Scents and Blends signature collection. The new product line is an offhsoot of a joint venture between Scents and Blends and Rev’lation International, Inc., the direct selling company which launched Judy Ann’s Baby Line in 2006.

Judy Ann is looking at the new business as a way of keeping herself busy and productive when she gets married to Ryan Agoncillo and starts her own family.

“It’s easy to combine scenes and come up with a new one,” she explains. Judy Ann adds that her collection is eco-friendly and water-based. She goes for a light cologne scent to feel fresh the whole day.

Business is doing well so far. Fanny Serrano reports that Judy Ann’s collection has gone out of stock in the US weeks after it first hit the market.

If and when Ploning makes it to the Oscars, Judy Ann promises she will give Angelina Jolie a bottle of cologne from her (Judy Ann’s) collection.

“We can also give them out as souvenirs in the Oscars,” Judy Ann declares.

Jennifer Aniston on US Vogue December 2008

Jennifer Aniston is red hot on the December 2008 cover of Vogue.

According to Us Weekly, Aniston asked the reporter, Jonathan Van Meter, to turn off the tape recorder when first asked about her ex-husband’s partner, Angelina Jolie. Here’s what she did say on the record:

On being bothered that Angelina recounted a detailed timeline of how she fell in love with Brad Pitt on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith: “There was stuff printed there that was definitely from a time when I was unaware that it was happening. I felt those details were a little inappropriate to discuss. That stuff about how she couldn’t wait to get to work every day? That was really uncool.

On if she ever speaks to Brad: “[We've exchanged] a few very kind hellos … and congratulations on your babies… [We] had an amicable split … The marriage didn’t work out.”

On her romance with John Mayer: “People need to mind their own business! Did you ever think Claudia Schiffer and David Copperfield made sense? Love just shows up.”

On when Mayer bragged about dumping her: “Trust me, you’ll never see that happen again from that man.”

Via Just Jared

The New GMA Network Studios

The new state-of-the-art GMA Network Studios in Quezon City was blessed yesterday, October 16, 2008. It has four storeys and houses two studios (studio 4 and 5). Studio 4, which can accomodate up to 1,000 people, is designed for the live shows of GMA 7 while studio 5 is for the tapings of their other shows. The GMA Network spent 900 million pesos for the new building and it was done without taking out a bank loan, only proving that the network is still in good business position despite the economic crisis. GMA Network dedicates its new studios to the viewers as it continues to produce quality shows.

Guy Ritchie and Madonna To Divorce

Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie will divorce after almost eight years of marriage, Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg confirms in an e-mail to The Associated Press. Rosenberg also pointed out that Madonna and Guy have not agreed to a settlement. Rumors are that the two do not have a pre-nuptial agreement.

It's scary since Madonna is said to worth more than $500 million.

This resulted to talks that Guy Ritchie is a gold-digger who's just in it for the money.

The two married on December 22, 2000 at Skibo Castle in Scotland. They have a biological son named Rocco (born August 11, 2000) and an adopted Malawian baby boy.

Both Guy and Madonna are devotees of the Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) Centre, a non-profit spiritual organization.

Charice Meets Mariah

Charice Pempengco performed in front of the A-list Hollywood stars in the glamorous Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation's Grand Slam for Children benefit concert which is held annually to benefit needy children. But one of her biggest dreams came true even before the show started when she met Mariah Carey in person. Mariah only had praises for the young Filipina singer saying, "I am very happy and I hope I'm gonna sing with her soon, I wish. You're beautiful, it's so nice to meet you. She's so cute! I love you Filipinos, thank you."

Other top notch singers who performed on stage were Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crowe and Mariah Carey herself. It was Charice, though, who was given a thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

(Please stop asking her who she wanna meet next. She's starting to look like a fan touring the world to meet her idols.)

David Foster, American composer and producer who is now Charice's mentor, says he probably had at least two dozen people stopping him on the street just to thank him for what he's done for Charice.

The glitzy benefit concert was held last Saturday, October 11, at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Type rest of the post here

Johnny Depp Tops Sexiest Men List

Johnny Depp (45) is the world's sexiest man, according to a survey compiled by the UK edition of Cosmopolitan magazine. Seems like girls find them forty-somethings sexy as George Clooney (47) lands at number 2. The hunky Brokeback Mountain star, Jake Gyllenhaal (27) is at number 3 while Daniel Craig (40) and Brad Pitt (44) completes the top 5.

The complete results is in the November issue of Cosmopolitan (UK edition).

TOP 25 HUNKS

1 Johnny Depp, 45
2 George Clooney, 47
3 Jake Gyllenhaal, 27
4 Daniel Craig, 40
5 Brad Pitt, 44
6 James McAvoy, 29
7 JustinTimberlake, 27
8 Will Smith, 40
9 David Beckham, 33
10 Wentworth Miller, 36
11 Christian Bale, 34
12 Jonathan Rhys Meyers, 31
13 Take That (band): Gary Barlow, 37, Mark Owen, 36, Howard Donald, 40 and Jason Orange, 38
14 Ashton Kutcher, 30
15 Dermot O’Leary, 35
16 David Tennant, 37
17 Patrick Dempsey, 42
18 Clive Owen, 44
19 Pierce Brosnan, 55
20 Mark Ronson, 33
21 Gordon Ramsay, 41
22 Russell Brand, 33
23 Pharrell Williams, 35
24 Ryan Reynolds, 31
25 Olivier Martinez, 42

Zac Efron on the Cover of Entertainment Weekly's Photo Issue

Zac Efron is on the cover of EW's Photo Issue. The High School Musical star who is rumored to replace Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway's Equus is currently one of the most successful tweens in Hollywood today, and Zac is not only living the popularity and success but enjoying it as well.

The teen heartthrob is also the star of "Seventeen Again," a movie about an older man whose life didn't turn out the way he wanted it to and wishes he could go back to high school again. True enough, he woke up one morning as a seventeen-year-old. Much like the 1988 film "Big" which made Tom Hanks a star and which also earned him an Oscar nomination.

Let's just hope that "Seventeen Again" will also earn Zac an Oscar.

Zac Efron To Go Nude

Rumors about Zac Efron going naked is spreading around. The High School Musical star has been allegedly offered the lead role in Equus, a Broadway play where Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe also showed his body.

Is Zac letting go of his wholesome image already? Well I'm sure he'd lose some fans if he did, but for the delight of many.

2008 Asian Star Entertainment Awards

The 2008 ASE (Asian Star Entertainment) Awards was held last October 4th at the Mandarin Suites, Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City. Awards are given to outstanding artists in different fields of performing arts in the Asia Pacific region. Nominees and winners are determined via online nomination and voting.

Here are the winners, who are mostly from the Kapamilya network:

Angel Locsin - Outstanding Actress and Commercial Model
Mark Bautista - Best Male Performing Artist
Phoemela Baranda - Outstanding TV Host and Ramp Model
Sheryn Regis - Best Female Performing Artist
Kris Aquino - Outstanding TV Game Host
TJ Manotoc - Asian Young Professional For Media and Broadcasting
Bugoy Drilon - Most Promising Male Performer
Laarni Lozada - Most Promising Female Performer
ABS-CBN - Most Outstanding Television Network

"Umagang Kay Showbiz" No More

Ogie Diaz will not be on Umagang Kay Ganda starting Monday, October 13, 2008. He was allegedly dismissed due to a violation he made due to a conflict between his principles and the management's Code of Ethics. The violation (which he didn't elaborate on - resulted into termination (non-renewal) of services. Ogie Diaz also stated that it was just his first violation and he wasn't given any warning or suspension that is normally the initial measure given to employees who goes against the company's policies. He was just made to say goodbye to the show - he didn't resign - since he also didn't have a contract.

Ogie still hosts "Talakan," a DZMM (ABS-CBN's AM station) radio show, so we can still hear him.

"Umagang Kay Showbiz" will surely be missed. After all, most of us just tune in to Umagang Kayganda because of the Ogie Diaz-hosted segment.

Rihanna and Chris Brown Live in Taguig!

Rihanna and Chris Brown will have a back-to-back concert here in Manila on November 16, 2008. Venue is not yet announced (Edit: It's now official that the concert will be held at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field).

Beyonce had a successful one at exactly the same month (and venue) last year, attended by celebrities and screaming fans young and old.

I'm sure this double-header will get the same (if not more) attention.

Regular ticket prices are:
P10,300.00
5,150.00
3,090.00
618.00

But Ticketworld has an "early bird promo" which will run from October 15-31, 2008:
P3,090.00
1,545.00
309.00

Angelina Jolie in Breastfeeding Pics

Angelina Jolie shares to the public a private moment in a breastfeeding picture taken by partner, Brad Pitt. The picture was taken mid-August in the backyard of their French chateau.

The pic on the cover is just one of a series of breastfeeding pictures that Angelina allowed to be taken for W, an American lifestyle magazine.

The actress and her family (husband Brad, the twins Vivienne and Know, plus her four adopted children) were recently in New York to attend the premiere of Angelina's new movie, The Changeling.

Photo via dailymail

Angelina Jolie Had a Tummy Tuck?

So she allegedly had a secret tummy tuck? Does it have to be announced before or after? In all honesty I don't see anything wrong with it. She's a celebrity and she has to look good. If she thinks she needs a tummy tuck, so be it. She can afford it, after all.

Lea Salonga on Marie Claire October 2008

On the cover of Marie Claire October 2008 issue is the international star and Pinoy pride Ms. Lea Salonga.

Paul Newman Dies at 83

WESTPORT, Conn. - Paul Newman, the Oscar-winning superstar who personified cool as the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money" — followed by a second act as an activist, race car driver and popcorn impresario — has died. He was 83. (AP)

Michelle Van Eimeren Wishes Ogie and Regine Well

Michelle Van Eimeren, former Miss Australia and Ogie Alcasid's estranged wife, arrived in the country yesterday via Royal Brunei Air together with daughters Leila and Sarah. The mother and daughters are here to watch Ogie's 20th anniversary concert entitled Twenty/Twenty where Ogie's current girlfriend, Regine Velasquez, will have a special guesting.

Michelle hasn't lost her Tagalog tongue. She talked to the reporters who waited for her arrival at the airport in our native language. Seems like she had readied herself on the possible questions that might be thrown at her, especially about her separation with Ogie and her ex-husband's current affair. Michelle was already in Australia with their kids when speculations about the separation broke out, and she has been silent about it.

In an interview with Startalk, Michelle made it clear that her marriage with Ogie has long been annulled and that she wishes them (Ogie and Regine) well.

Michelle and daughters Leila and Sarah are staying in the country for a two-week vacation.

Jean Garcia on FHM's Cover

Jean Garcia is one of the country's best character actresses, no doubt about that. And now she's undoubtedly one of the sexiest as she poses half-naked for the cover of the country's leading magazine for men.

At 39 years old, Jean says she was at first nervous during the start of the pictorial but then felt that she's in good hands which made her relax and enjoy the experience. This is her first time to go this sexy. And she's definitely one hot mama!